People who waited hours to cast a ballot at an Elections Canada office in Vancouver Tuesday say they were shut out while there was still time to vote.
Though advanced polling stations were only open from Friday to Monday, Elections Canada offices were still supposed to accept voters until 6 p.m. Tuesday.
But people who queued up outside the office at Cambie and Hastings street said staff closed the doors at 5 p.m. without explanation.
“We’re all angry, we’re all frustrated, and we’re very, very disappointed,” said Stephanie Lam, who waited outside for about an hour. “They locked the doors on us.”
One voter said staff eventually blamed computer issues for the early closure, and told people to file complaints with Elections Canada.
Police were also called to the office to investigate a report of a disturbance and potential assault, but witnesses said there was no trouble – only confusion.
“No need to call four cop cars to come,” Lam said. “Eight police for about 50 to 75 people who are waiting quietly, patiently, in a single-file line on the street. This is what our tax dollars are paying for?”
No one was arrested.
Elections Canada has not confirmed what happened, but did tell CTV News there was another “unfortunate incident” at its Broadway office around 6 p.m. The nature of that incident is unclear, but a spokesperson suggested it had to do with safety concerns.
